The governor general recently awarded Royal City resident Karen Baker-MacGrotty a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at a military ceremony in Vernon.
The longtime New Westminster resident was recognized for her extensive volunteer activities, dedication, and community relationship building across Canadian military, business and not-for-profit sectors and many activities throughout the Lower Mainland. Baker-MacGrotty is honorary colonel of the Royal Westminster regiment.
"I feel so incredibly fortunate in my life to be able to serve my community," she said in a press release. "My parents planted the seed of serving when I was young and it has become a huge part of our entire family's life. A few years ago, we adopted a family motto: 'Non ut sibi min-istretur sed ut minister' - Not to be served but to serve. It is so rewarding to lend our expertise, experience and time to help others. Our family strives to build a better community for all to enjoy."
In addition to her duties with the Royal Westminster Regiment, Baker-MacGrotty's current activities include being a director with the Douglas College Foundation, co-chair of the Justice Institute Foundation gala and a member of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem that's currently building a palliative care facility at the University of British Columbia. She's also established two scholarships in her family's name to assist students at Douglas College and the Justice Institute with postsecondary fees, has been nominated twice as New Westminster Citizen of the Year, was recognized as a Rotary Paul Harris recipient, was inducted into the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitalier in recognition of her community leadership and service to humanity.
"People ask me where I find the time for all we do. I think you simply make time for what is important," she said. "I absolutely love the challenge of doing something which seems impossible, and when someone says it can't be done, that is my cue to make it happen."
Through the years, Baker-MacGrotty has held leadership roles in many boards and societies in the city, including the Hyack Festival Association, Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster, Spirit of 2010, New Westminster Police Board, the Justice Institute of B.C. Foundation, Fraserside Community Services and the Vancouver Japanese Language School. Baker-MacGrotty was also the first female president of the Westminster Club.
GIVE US AN H!
Congratulations to the Royal City Hyack Football Cheer Squad, which took home the much-coveted and very competitive 2012 Spirit Award at the Vancouver Mainland Football League cheerleading competition.
"All competing teams want to bring this trophy home and the second-year Hyack Cheer Team did! And a VMFL first - it was by a unanimous decision," said Pamela Dixon, one of the team's coaches, in an email. "There are so many reasons we did: the girls gave a full effort all day, and all season as we learned on the field to cheer in any circumstances, wind, rain, loss or win! The fans also made this happen, cheering along and looking so great in the stands supporting the girls. The girls worked extremely hard on their routines and the coaching staff couldn't be prouder."
Athena Dancey is the squad's coach/coordinator, Dixon and Nicole Pasacreta are coaches and Kathy Armstrong is the squad's manager. The squad, which is comprised of about 40 girls, proved it has spirit at the recent competition.
UPTOWN LIGHTS UP WITH TALL TREE
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Uptown New Westminster.
The Uptown Property Group has installed a 31foot-tall illuminated tree on the top of Blenz Coffee House at Sixth and Sixth. Adding to the festive feel is a series of shooting star lights adorning poles in the 500 and 600 blocks of Sixth Street.
"We had planned a tree quite a while ago," said Bart Slotman, vice president of the Uptown Property Group. "We think it will be a nice addition to the Uptown."
Uptown Property Group knew the city was working on a plan to have decorative lighting installed in commercial areas. When it didn't appear that anything would be taking place in 2012, the company decided to move forward on its own and have some shooting stars installed on poles in front of the mall's Sixth Street frontage.
Leaves on a high note after 5 years
Mitchell Edgar has left his position as the City of New Westminster's first manager of economic development after five years on the job.
Edgar, whose last day on the job was Nov. 23, said he came to work for the city because he saw a chance to "add value to a city that had untapped potential" and was undervalued in terms of its future opportunities.
"I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish over this time and want to celebrate our success in increasing New Westminster's profile and exposure to the business community and investors as we've seen increased business interest and activity because of it," he said in an email about his departure. "On a final note, it's satisfying to be completing my time on the high note of hosting the successful 'New' New West Economic Development forum held on Nov. 8, as well as the recent launch of the city's Intelligent City initiative."
